Focus Factor Vs Prevagen

As we get older it is normal for our brains to show signs of aging. Typically, this will show itself in the form of memory lapses, finding it harder to focus, and generalized decline in cognitive performance.

If you feel you are experiencing a decline in your brain’s performance, then you may well have considered combating this through supplementation – namely, supplementing with nootropics.

Two fairly popular options are Focus Factor and Prevagen – and with many people undecided between the two, we thought we’d pit them against each other in this Focus Factor Vs Prevagen review.

Both Prevagen and Focus Factor have slightly different remits and will therefore have somewhat differing effects on you, so making the right choice is important depending on your exact needs.

We will be looking at both their similarities and differences, and what exactly you can expect to achieve from their ingredient profiles. We’ve also thrown in a few decent alternatives which have previously scored well in our trials, in case neither of these match up to what you’re looking for.

About Focus Factor & Prevagen

Focus Factor is what we might consider to be ‘more of a true nootropic’. That’s because it doesn’t just focus on one area of cognitive functioning – it has a whole host of natural ingredients to support the claims made by the US-based company.

The Original formula (which is what we shall be predominantly focusing on today – they also have an ‘Extra Strength’ version) aims to improve memory functions, concentration and focus. It also has a whole host of other ingredients that make it a great multivitamin too.

Prevagen is a supplement developed by Quincy Bioscience, and builds upon decades of research into one of its prime ingredients, apoaequorin – which is an ingredient found in jellyfish (interestingly, it’s what causes them to glow in the dark!).

What followed was a number of clinical studies that found apoaequorin could have a positive impact in terms of improving brain health. Quincy Bioscience have also conducted their own testing and have concluded that the apoaequorin in Prevagen also improves cognitive function.

Prevagen has more of a focus on improving memory recall for those who are suffering from mild memory loss. This is predominantly marketed towards the over-55s, but they do state that it can be useful for anyone over the age of 40.

The only additional active ingredient to apoaequorin here is Vitamin D, so this is far less of a wide-ranging multi-vitamin supplement.

Prevagen Vs Focus Factor – Quick Comparison

#	Focus Factor	Prevagen
No. of Active Ingredients	23	2
Cost	$0.51-$1.02 per day*	$1.33 per day
Dose Per Day	4-8	1
Nootropic Focus	Memory, Concentration, Focus, Mood	Memory (recall)
App Available	Yes	No
Clinically Backed	Yes, some ingredients are clinically support	Yes, but only by the company’s own study

Focus Factor In Detail

Focus Factor comes in pill format for the standard supplement, but they also offer gummies as part of their full range.

Their Original supplement is available in a range of bundle sizes, with the cheapest-per-serving option being the 6 bottle (180 pills per bottle) selection, which currently (Checked July 2024) works out at $0.57 per tablet.

That being said, it doesn’t save you much purchasing the bundle deals. You’re looking at a difference of $0.05 between purchasing one bottle and a bundle of six.

Their website claims you save a lot more than this, but that’s if they priced their bundles more expensively to start – their math is pretty questionable, and seems reliant on us customers falling for the visual of ‘slashed prices’.

Back to the supplement itself, each serving of Focus Factor contains a whopping 34 ingredients.

When we first checked out Focus Factor, it was a proprietary blend that didn’t disclose each ingredient’s dosage. Thankfully they’ve since changed this, clearly recognizing transparency is key when it comes to taking supplements, especially in the nootropics sphere.

Here’s the extensive list that builds out the Focus Factor formula (Edit: Updated July 2024):

Some of these are excellent additions to the mix – for more information on them, read our best nootropics article where we go in to detail on ingredients with nootropic benefits.

What you are getting with Focus Factor though is pretty impressive list of vitamins and minerals that are only going to enhance your overall nutritional intake. Of course, you should continue to eat a healthy and balanced diet for the benefit of your physical and cognitive health, but you certainly get a lot more out of Focus Factor than you do with Prevagen.

Prevagen In Detail

As we have mentioned, Prevagen has a single key ingredient, supported by Vitamin D.

It’s a little surprising that Quincy Bioscience stopped at just the one additional vitamin – why not include the likes of vitamins A, B6, B12, C, E? Or helpful, easily-sourced minerals such as Zinc, Magnesium and Chromium as we see in Focus Factor?

Prevagen’s efficacy as a nootropic to specifically target mild age-related memory loss comes down to its one key ingredient – apoaequorin, with 10mg of it included in each serving.

There are studies there to support its use in bringing about an improvement in recall, but even in some of these studies there were improvements to be seen in those being tested with the placebo.

The placebo group did not show as much improvement as those using Prevagen but there was still an improvement all the same.

Not an impressive ‘formula’ at all.

Focus Factor Vs Prevagen Similarities

When looking at Focus Factor Vs. Prevagen, the reality is that there are not too many similarities between them. They don’t really claim to target the exact same cognitive benefits, and those that they do are targeted using completely different ingredients.

There are some similarities between Prevagen and Focus Factor though and these include:

1. Both are found in capsule/tablet form but also have chewable gummy options.

2. Both have standard strength and increased strength options.

3. Both contain Vitamin D, although Prevagen has it in a much higher dosage – 20 times more, to be precise.

4. Both supplements should improve memory functioning to some level.

5. Both supplements are clinically backed (to an extent).

6. Both can be bought direct from the manufacturer website.

Focus Factor Vs Prevagen Key Differences

It’s fair to say there are more differences when comparing Prevagen and Focus Factor.

Let’s take a look at some of the most profound differences:

1. Focus Factor has more of an all-round nootropic focus with the aim of improving memory, concentration, focus and mood, whereas Prevagen simply focuses on memory.

2. Focus Factor could be seen as having more appeal to those who want a boost to their cognitive functions, whereas Prevagen is best taken by those already experiencing mild memory decline.

3. Focus Factor uses natural ingredients that we are used to seeing as having nootropic qualities, whereas Prevagen relies solely on apoaequorin for its nootropic benefits.

4. Focus Factor requires you to take 4-8 capsules per day, while Prevagen is simply one each morning.

5. Focus Factor has a vast collection of multivitamins and minerals that will offer wide-ranging benefits in addition to cognitive improvement.

Who Is Focus Factor & Prevagen Best Suited To?

If we take the claimed benefits of both of these supplements at face value, then it is fair to say that Prevagen has more of a niche target market than Focus Factor. Prevagen is very much aimed at those who are already suffering a mild age-related degree of memory loss.

In contrast, Focus Factor claims that its supplement can boost memory, focus and concentration in those who are not yet suffering a noticeable decline as well as those who are.

In addition, anyone who is looking for an all-round health boosting multivitamin supplement will benefit from Focus Factor.

Yet, the big question remains – just how good are these two supplements in terms of being effective nootropics and do they stack up against our top rated nootropics?

Focus Factor & Prevagen In Real-World Use

We had members of our writing and publishing teams test both these supplements for 1 month.

The results for Prevagen were the least conclusive, and we found little to no impact on memory or recall in our limited testing. We should also point out that we only tested for 1 month, though there were almost zero noticeable differences seen by our tester.

Focus Factor fared slightly better with a slight improvement in recall and a noticeable anecdotal improvement in focus and concentration levels. However, even in Focus Factor’s own testing there was an improvement recorded in both the test and placebo group, so a placebo-like effect could have been at play here.

There is no doubt that there is more scientific support for Focus Factor than Prevagen, and we certainly prefer the mix of ingredients found in Focus Factor.

A concern for both companies is that they have had their own legal and advertising issues. Prevagen were previously charged by the FDA and the FTC for making unsubstantiated claims. Focus Factor have also had a consumer report warning brought against them for making claims that they do not have sufficient evidence to support them.

However, since then, these issues appear to have been rectified.

Alternatives To Focus Factor & Prevagen

It really is hard to recommend these two supplements as true nootropics, and although there are likely some good benefits to Focus Factor, the evidence to support Prevagen is hard to get behind.

There have been no other full studies into the efficacy of Prevagen other than the one study by the company themselves.

The lack of knowing exactly how much of what nootropic-supporting ingredients are in Focus Factor also makes it difficult to recommend.

For anyone seeking well researched and clinically supported nootropics, then our recommendation would be with NooCube.

Not only does it have a who’s who of natural ingredients that are clinically backed in supporting healthy brain functioning, there are hundreds of user testimonies to support it.

When bought in 6-month supplies, it also works out to be very competitively priced, particularly against both Focus Factor and Prevagen. NooCube is a nootropic that we know well here at SOMA, having tested it extensively, with members of team staying with it as their permanent nootropic supplement of choice.

I’d choose NooCube over Focus Factor, and certainly before Prevagen by a country mile.

Verdict

Choosing any supplement is a difficult choice, especially one that you are likely going to need to commit for at least 3 months for best and most apparent results. Want a straight answer to choosing between Focus Factor and Prevagen? The answer is Focus Factor. You get a lot more for your money, and it will have a more noticeable effect.

For those who really want a nootropic that is designed to make a maximum impact using just natural ingredients, then we would go with NooCube. Take a minimum 3-6 month supply and judge for yourself how you feel 1-2 months in – the chances are you will feel a radical cognitive improvement.

And if you don’t, they offer you a 60-day money back guarantee. You can’t lose.